We can´t win every game, says Celtic manager

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said his side was entitled to have the odd off-day after he watched his side scrape a 1-1 draw with Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday.

The Hoops gaffer says his side can't win every game as they bid to make it four Scottish Premier League titles in a row this season.

Celtic left it late to secure a point in the match against Hearts having lost the previous weekend's fixture away to Hibernian 2-0.

With Rangers dropping two points in the early kick-off match against Dundee United a win for Celtic would have seen the Parkhead side extending their lead at the top of the table.

But Strachan said he did not view the Hearts result as a missed opportunity as his side did well to get the draw after their midweek Champions League exploits against Villarreal.

“Maybe Rangers are feeling that it is a missed opportunity as well considering Hearts were 1-0 up. But that will happen until the end of the season,” said Strachan.

“There will be off-days and things like that but we will just plug away and I think we have to be happy with a point after a poor first 45 minutes against Hearts.

“It's not the first time we have been affected by a midweek Champions League game.

“I'm not putting it all down to that. You have to sit down and look at it and analyse the game but it might be a thought as to why we had such a poor first-half.

“But I have the players here who can grind something out of a match through sheer determination and pressure.”

On Saturday a late Stephen McManus strike secured a 1-1 draw with Hearts at Parkhead.

Hearts, who hadn't played since their 2-1 victory over Rangers at Tynecastle, looked the hungrier side as they aimed to continue their five-game winning run in the league.

An Andrew Driver first-half strike looked to have the Jambos on their way to back-to-back victories over the Old Firm but McManus popped up with 11 minutes remaining to secure a point and keep Celtic's four point advantage at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Earlier in the day Rangers missed a chance to reduce the gap at the top as their poor away form continued as they drew 2-2 with Dundee United in a thrilling match at Tannadice.

Hearts took the lead in the 23rd minute through Driver. Laryea Kingston showed some good skill at the edge of the box before slicing a shot which ended up at the feet of Driver.

The Englishman then took a touch before dispatching it past Artur Boruc to score his third of the season.

Celtic equalised in the 79th minute through captain Stephen McManus. A Shunsuke Nakamura cross from the right was knocked on at the far post by Georgios Samaras to McManus who headed past the helpless keeper.